Hi. The fear is understandable of course. Have you had any treatment yet? My son was diagnosed oesophageal cancer yesterday so we are all still in shock. Hes 42. None of us can think of anything else. I don't know how to just carry on and do normal things. Are you trying to go on as normal?

Hi Karren, Very sorry to hear about your Son. It’s all a bit much to deal with however even after just a month the fact that it’s real and the why me feeling gets more bearable. I know it’s difficult but please get him to try to NOT keep looking it up on the internet as this really is frightening and you nearly always get the worst case scenario on there. I had an endoscopic ultrasound this morning and it was fine. I had a laparoscopy 3 weeks ago and this was abit more uncomfortable and sore for a few days but another thing to tick off the list. Take each day at a time. I am a teacher with young adults with learning difficulties and autism so it was difficult to keep working as they are in your face a bit. It’s early days and I am doing as much as possible at the moment whilst I can before Chemotherapy. So yes as normal as possible. Take the scans and tests they will do one by one and make sure he talks to you and his loved ones about it. Please contact me anytime or get him to as it would be good to have someone else who understands the challenges. 
All the very best

Hi Karen. Had my first chemo on Monday and other than sitting around it was fine. Tuesday was ok until the evening when I started to feel a little queasy. Wednesday was like being car sick and the night was very nauseous. Yesterday however was difficult as I really felt poisoned and had a bad tummy ache. Today I feel more human and hopefully will be able to eat again as yesterday was a no no. I hope all will get better each day until they blast me again. 

I am happy you have started your chemotherapy although the side effects are not very nice.I have to go on Wednesday for my staging and then know my treatment plan.

Feeling a lot better now and hoping that it will last until the next cycle. 

Glad you are feeling a bit better.Hope your next session may be a little easier on you.

Sounds bearable I suppose. Glad you are feeling better today. Onwards & upwards!

Hi Karren .

yep, Flot for me too. I found it to be very good as I may have already said. I was eating proper food not long after 1st lot of chemo. I did have a couple of off days each time in the first week and these do get a bit worse after each time but the results have been very good. 
Christmas Day consisted of throwing up my dinner of just mash after only one or two mouthfuls, this evening I made ( and kept down ) a full chicken roast dinner

Had a CT scan today , I assume it’s to see how much tumour has shrunk so they can plan surgery. I’ll prob get a call with result next week 

Ahh such a shame about Christmas dinner! Typical. Yes you did say that you felt tumour had shrunk after just 1 chemo - I told my son. His team advised him to have a feeding tube in his small intestine (a jejeunal tube) at the same time as his laparoscopy 2 weeks ago so he did. They said that even though he can still eat certain foods and get nutrition drinks down, the chemo may take his appetite or make him sick so the tube ensures good nutrition. I just want the chemo to start for him now and get the nasty thing shrinking. laparoscopy showed nothing in abdomen so that's great. Sounds like your tumour has shrunk loads as you are eating so well now. Good luck with the scan results.

Hi ya 

Hubby has oesophageal cancer. Had a stent fitted last year 

Re nutrition 

So tips add sour cream to things

Curry chilli anything you lije taste of and Blitz the bee geebers out of it in a blender to the consultancy you can easily swallow

Fizzy drinks help clear it down ( stent tip) so drink to help it teavel

Smaller amounts are better than none

Lots of gravy sauce to smooth thst mash down

And also things like quavers melt in the mouth 

Yogurt without lumps 

And hang in there. .....

Hi. Yes, my son blends up...wait for it potato & leek soup with a whole tube of primula cheese spread.  He adds spices to stuff & he has cheesy wotsits & quavers like you mentioned.

Does a stent allow solid food or not?

Does a stent allow solid food or not?

Hi Karen

A stent is a tube that holds the oesophagus open ( used when the tumour is closing it) 

Yes it is done to allow the patient to be able to swallow .....soft diet etc 

Hubby has had it eight months now 

 I thing the leak soup with primula chesse is a top tip 

Thanks for sharing

I hope you hear soon so you know exactly what is what

The waiting is the worst

I have sons too so Mum vibes to you 

Fingers crossed for good news 

Thanks. So has your hubby had any chemo yet? I know all the tests they do are crucial to getting the right treatment etc but every case of this I have read about have FLOT chemo then Ivor-Lewis op then more FLOT chemo so I don't know why they don't just get on with it. I think you can tell I am anxious for them to get treating it. Its 7 weeks today since diagnosis. They have told him hes having FLOT, Ivor Lewis op etc and that the oncologist will be in touch 'shortly' 

Hi it took exactly 12 weeks from diagnosis to my first treatment last Monday. It does seem an age. The time however is not a factor. The operation recovery can be slightly different according to the individual but only by a couple of weeks. Also th amount of Flot varies from person to person afterwards. Some people don’t have any afterwards. I hope you get answers soon. 

12 weeks! OK I see. My concern is it spreading while we wait. So far theyve not found any evidence of spread on CT scan or laparoscopy & I just want it to stay that way till he gets chemo.

Hi Karen

Yes hubby has had chemo ...two types together via a Picc line ( permanent IV )  then a break

He is palliative care as he has secondaries. So bit different to your son 

 Remember you can contact the medical team and ask questions

And we had support from Macmillan who sorted out our benefits PIP and carers allowance they were brilliant  

Sorry, didn't think your hubby in a different situation. I've told Dean to call them tomorrow! Some parts of the country people have chemo about 4 weeks after diagnosis. I'll tell my son about the PIP & Macmillan - thanks.